EXPERIENCE AND DEDICATION

About Anton Insurance

Our staff has combined experience of over 300 years with the insurance industry and will dedicate itself to providing you with courteous service and personal attention. Our licensed agents are ready to discuss your exposures, your coverage and the protection that we can offer – all at a sensible price.

As an Independent Agent we are able to offer a wide selection of products through a number of different insurance companies. This allows us to offer a broad array of coverage at competitive premiums. We pride ourselves in customer service and we strive to exceed the highest standards of our industry.

Our philosophy is to protect our clients, their employees, assets, and income against the risk of unforeseen economic loss and to respond quickly and correctly to clients needs.

For more than four decades, Anton Insurance has been making a big difference in the lives of our clients by providing a standard of personal service that, quite simply, you can’t find anywhere else. You can buy a policy many different ways – from other agents, over the telephone, through the internet – but when you really think about it, the real value is the people who are there when you need them most. Someone you know and someone you can turn to when you need a helping hand. Someone who knows your name and whose name you know and can trust.

Anton Insurance is a strong proponent of continuing education to provide our clients with a knowledgeable and professional staff. All employees are licensed insurance agents and attend continuing education classes on a regular basis, covering all aspects of the industry and timely ‘hot topic’ issues.

Four Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) and three CIC candidates represent the agency. Additionally, two Certified Risk Managers (CRM), one Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and two Certified School Risk Managers are on the team.

Michael R. Anton Jr.

(P&C/L&H) Mike is the agency Principal and has over forty-five years’ experience. He has earned the designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AIA), Certified Risk Manager (CRM) and Certified School Risk Manager. Mike is the immediate Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI), past president of the Porter County Association of Insurance Agents and serves on the Board of the Duneland Education Foundation. Mike served as an instructor for the AAI Program and is a twenty-seven year member and past president of the Chesterton – Porter Rotary Club. Mike is also a Past President of the Duneland Jaycees and Duneland Chamber of Commerce. He coached and sponsored Babe Ruth baseball for eighteen years. Mike and his wife Nancy have five children and in his free time he enjoys golf, biking and traveling.

James P. Anton

(P&C/L&H) Jim joined the agency in 1997 and has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager designations. In addition to marketing and sales, he manages a talented commercial lines team and oversees the loss control and risk management divisions of the agency. Jim participates in various community activities and is a Past-President of the Chesterton – Porter Rotary Club and Duneland Chamber of Commerce. He is the current President of the Northwest Indiana Independent Insurance Agents Association (2015) and is a member of the Indiana Young Agents. Jim and his wife Nicole live in Valparaiso with their daughters Abigail and Sophia.

Nancy S. Anton

(P&C) Nancy is the Office Manager and has over thirty-five years’ of insurance experience. Nancy has earned the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) designation. She oversees the daily operations of the agency, accounting and is located in our Chesterton office. Nancy and Mike reside in Chesterton and Nancy enjoys gardening, biking and traveling when she is not busy studying agency reports or spending time with the grandchildren.

Elizabeth S. Bartholomew

(P&C) Liz joined the agency in October of 2014 and has thirty-three years’ of experience in the insurance industry with Bartholomew & Son Insurance and is a personal lines account manager. In 2005 she earned the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation. She is a member of Tri Kappa Sorority and P.E.O., a Women’s Educational Organization. In her spare time she enjoys working out at the YMCA, walking, golf, reading and cooking. She and her husband Jeff reside in Valparaiso and have two sons, one residing in Texas and the other resides in Colorado.

Heather B. Bogielski

(P&C/L&H) Heather joined the agency in July of 2015 and has over 3 years of experience in the insurance industry. Heather is a personal lines account manager in the Chesterton office. She lives in Valparaiso with her husband and two daughters Madelynne and Kaylee. In her spare time, she enjoys vacation, family activities, and watching her favorite television shows.

Kathryn I. Byrnes

(P&C/L&H) Kathryn joined our team in August of 2000 and received her property and casualty license in 2003 and her life and health license in 2009. Kathy is director of marketing and helps the agency with licensing and personal lines service. She resides in Chesterton with her husband, Tom, and their children, Kevin and Madyson. She is an avid Buffalo Bills fan as well as a proud owner of an English Bulldog, Yorkie and a German Sheppard.

Rose M. Circle

(P&C) Rose joined our team in October of 2006 and has been in the industry for over fourteen years, obtaining her property and casualty license in 2003. Rose is a personal lines account manager in our Valparaiso office. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and currently resides in Valparaiso with her husband, Jeff, and their two Boxer dogs and one bird. Together they have three daughters and six grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, traveling, family gatherings, antique shopping, watching football and writing poetry.

Carla N. Jackson

(P&C/L&H) Carla joined the agency in March 2016 and is a personal lines account manager in our Valparaiso office. She started in the insurance industry in 2009. Carla is a native of Michigan and an avid sports fan. She is an active member of her church, enjoys music, traveling, cooking, shopping and spending time with her family. Carla lives in Chesterton with her husband Randy. She has three children and two grandchildren.

Julie A. Kelchak

(P&C/L&H) Julie joined the agency in August of 1984 and has over thirty-four years’ of experience in the insurance industry. Julie has been in commercial lines and personal lines sales at the agency over the years and is currently a personal lines account manager in our Chesterton office. Julie has been active in Delta Theta Tau Sorority as an officer for the past thirty-two years. She has been a co-captain of ALS volunteers, Relay for Life Duneland and Walk MS. She is a past recipient of the Duneland Chamber’s Citizen of the Year award and is a Paul Harris Fellow as recognized by Rotary International. Julie lives in Chesterton. Julie is a wine enthusiast who enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and music.

Megan K. Levendowski

(P&C) Megan re-joined the agency in May of 2012 and is an account manager in the Valparaiso office. Megan obtained her license in 1999 and was instrumental in the opening of our Valparaiso office. After graduating from Marion College she went on to be the customer service manager for a publication company in Chicago for 11 ½ years. Megan resides in Westville with her husband Richard and daughter Vivian. In her free time, in addition to spending time with her family, Megan is an avid softball player and Survivor enthusiast.

Julie M. Mattull

(P&C/L&H) Julie joined the team in 2014 and is a commercial lines account manager in the Valparaiso office. She has obtained the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) and the Indiana Accredited Customer Service Representative (IACSR) designations. Julie has worked in the insurance industry for 17 years working with both personal and commercial lines insurance. Julie lives in Valparaiso and has three children. Julie enjoys spending time with family, bowling, gardening and road trips.

Julie A. Mendoza

(P&C) Julie has worked in the insurance industry for over twenty years and joined the team in 1990. Julie is a commercial lines account manager and services our municipal clients in addition to some bookkeeping duties. She has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified School Risk Manager (CSRM) designations. She and her husband Harry, reside in Valparaiso.

Heather E. Minard

(P&C) Heather joined the team in February of 1998 and is a commercial lines account manager in the Chesterton office. In addition to her insurance duties, Heather is the Technology Manager for the organization. Heather resides in Valparaiso with her husband Chris and their daughters, Halie and Caitlin. Her hobbies include biking, hiking, and camping.

Angie Panayi

(P&C) Angie joined the team in March of 2007 and brings thirteen years’ of insurance experience. She is in commercial lines sales in the Valparaiso office. She specializes in working with builders, business owners & real estate investors. Angie is an Ambassador with the Valparaiso Chamber and a board member with the Home Builders of Northwest Indiana. She has an appreciation for the business owner, as she owned her own business for sixteen years before becoming an insurance agent. Angie has lived in Valparaiso for over 25 years and has two grown sons. She enjoys traveling, Greek cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Amy J. Pendowski

(P&C) Amy joined the team in October 2014 and is a personal lines account manager in our Valparaiso Office. A long-time resident of Valparaiso, Amy lives with her husband Rob, and three children; Courtlin, Nicole & Amanda. Always up for an adventure, Amy enjoys spending time with family, photography, reading, baking & camping.

Tara C. Ramirez

(P&C) Tara joined our team in November of 2018 as a personal lines account manager in our Chesterton office. She has 15 years experience in the personal insurance industry. Tara currently resides in South Hammond with her husband and three children. In her free time she enjoys trying anything new, traveling, camping, cooking and family & friend gatherings.

Paul A. Sciarra

(P&C/L&H) Paul began his insurance career in 1999 specializing in health and life insurance and is currently licensed in all lines. Paul immediately achieved his Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) designation and uses his expertise to advise clients on insurance products to benefit them as they approach or are in retirement. Paul specializes in Medicare, Long Term Care, health and life insurance. Paul is also certified to offer Medicare Part C and Part D products. Paul is also certified to operate in the Federal Market Place for Individual helath plans as well as SHOP, the small business market place. Paul is a current member and past president of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club, a member of the Special Kids Special Needs Golf Outing planning committee and serves on various charitable boards in the community. Paul lives in Valparaiso with his wife Dawn and they have two grown children.

Sheryl L. Smith

(P&C/L&H) Sheryl joined the team in February of 1990. Sheryl has completed the IIAI program for Personal Lines and is the Personal Lines Manager. She resides in Portage with her husband Raymond, their daughter Payton, and their son Ryan.

Kerry M. Sroufek

(P&C/L&H) Kerry joined the team in September of 2003 and is a commercial lines account manager in the Valparaiso office. Additionally, Kerry services group and individual health insurance, life insurance and Long Term Care policy holders. Kerry lives in Valparaiso with her two children, Haley and Adam.

Rashelle D. Swistek

(P&C) Shelley has worked in the commercial insurance industry for seventeen years and joined the team in May of 2015. Shelley is a commercial lines account manager and spends time in both Chesterton and Valparaiso. She resides in Chesterton with her family and enjoys the beach, yoga, running, exercising and spending time with her family and friends.

Traci J. Tollar

Traci joined the agency in October of 2014 and has played a key role in the transition of the Bartholomew Agency acquisition. Traci and her husband Matt live in Morgan Township with their two children Gabbi and Matthew.